Out of retirement, and back traversing time and space, the Doctor has a new goal. Find the woman twice dead and save her from dying again. It’s a monumental task, with all of history to search. He's going to need some help...
3.1 The Inheritance by Alfie Shaw For Patricia and Valarie Lockwood, it was to be an evening like any other. Dinner with a few friends, a chance to unwind and forget the horrors of the world. However, their plans are disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious stranger. A man who brings tragedy in his wake.
3.2 The House of Masks by Georgia Cook For Valarie's first trip through time and space, the TARDIS takes them to one of the Doctor's favourite places: Venice, during Carnivale.
Unfortunately, not everyone is there to enjoy the party. Captain Tomasi has a murder to commit, and he needs Valarie’s help to do it...
3.3 The End by Rochana Patel Valarie/The Doctor is dying. Only the Doctor/Valarie can save Valarie/the Doctor, but for her/him to survive, the Doctor/Valarie will have to die in her/his place.
Such delightfully fresh adventures and wonderful sound production & editing!! Really love Val and hope to get to see/hear lots more of her in the future.
Okay, this set of episodes was quite good. Sure it's Jacob Dudman playing Matt Smith playing the Doctor, but his performance is such that you quickly forget that, and it's Matt Smith! (And hopefully someday Matt Smith will start doing these, too.)
The first three of a twelve- or thirteen-episode series, and it's probably one of the better BF releases of the year. The episodes feel like they're from the Matt Smith era, and the two leads have great chemistry. Saffiya Ingar's Valarie makes for a great companion -- a feisty, cyber-engineer from the future. Let's hope they can keep up the quality for the next 9 or 10 episodes.
Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor Chronicles: GERONIMO! - 4/5 stars Great set. Interested to see where this goes with the overarching plot. 1. The Inheritance by Alfie Shaw - 4/5 stars A virus in the money starts killing people and then the people who inherit their money and so on. Valarie has great chemistry with 11. The emotions in this are great, Valarie’s mother dying creates a high level of emotion in the final confrontation against the villain of the story. Very strong start. 2. The House of Masks by Georgia Cook - 3/5 stars This one drags a bit in the middle but the Doctor talking about the Time War openly with Valarie early on in their travels and creating trust between the two is great. I’m very interested to see where this goes. 3. The End by Rochana Patel - 5/5 stars Fun little time-loop story involving time spiders.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Fun set of stories. I think it reminded me a lot of the early 8 and Charley episodes. That is exactly the style of writing, setting and story they would appear in! Great performances throughout, and yes, Dudman does a great 11th Doctor. I think I liked the last story best, I just love time jumps, timey-whimey stuff and playing around with the format. I am just tired of the old trope of the "universe consuming parasite". This is lazy writing and bad research in my book. But otherwise, great story. Which would have worked with just an ordinary hungry monster- no need to make it universe consuming.
It feels as if they saw Matt Smith cast in Game of Thrones and said, “Jacob is the 11th Doctor so let’s lean into it.” They are going with individuated adventures with connective tissues that will extend through multiple box sets.
The Doctor Chronicles is a range I've been meaning to get into for a while now. But ever since hearing high praise to do with these recent 11th Doctor audios, I've been really wanting to purchase these sets and dive into them, so let's not waste any more time and see what I think!
Prequel - Clara: The Doctor is searching the universe for Clara Oswald and unfortunately for him, he's not having much luck. But it seems a mayday signal from Earth might just lead him to the right answers.
This prequel wasn't anything too amazing but it was charming and downright hilarious. 8/10
The Inheritance: The Doctor storms into Valerie's place with a bomb, but unluckily for them both a dead man is already inside. Something terrible is happening on Earth and in a small community people are dying. What's started this plague and what could possibly stop it? The Doctor may have the answer but time isn't on his side.
Alfie Shaw has written an incredible opening story to this series that criticizes the evils of capitalism whilst also being a heartbreaking and at times dark story. Valerie from this story alone is an amazing addition to The Doctor's long list of companions, she's so unique, charming, and hilarious, and despite her cybernetic components brilliantly human. This was an intense, exhilarating story and I can't believe this is only episode 1! Brilliant stuff! 10/10
The House of Masks: The Doctor and Valerie arrive in Venice in the middle of a carnival. Someone has brought them here and their determined to find out who and why. Entering a party, The Doctor and Valerie soon discover that not everything is as it seems and that the main disaster may have already occurred.
Georgia Cook has written a fantastic and meaningful story. I wasn't too sure what to expect from Valerie's first adventure in the Tardis but it was a very emotional and fun tale with some fantastic characterization. The core idea behind this story is brilliant. 9/10
The End: The Doctor has been bitten by a ferocious spider and time is running out for him, Valerie has to save his life. Meanwhile, Valerie has been bitten by a ferocious spider and time is running out for her. Something strange is happening to time and it seems the two time travellers have finally arrived at their final destination.
Rochana Patel has written an incredibly creepy and experimental story that is intense, clever, and again very emotional. This was a brilliant way to conclude the first set and after that cliffhanger, I'm already excited to see what happens next! 10/10
This might change depending on the day but The Elventh Doctor might just be my favourite, he was the first Doctor Who I saw regenerate and I'm still not over it.
I heard pretty mixed things about the previous box sets. This one though....
Holy fucking shit this was as close you could possibly get to perfection. Jacob Dudman is an amazing Eleventh Doctor.
The era of the Eleventh Doctor they chose is the best they could choose from. No Ponds anymore and no Clara yet. What did The Doctor do for all of those years? Try and find Clara of course but what did he do next to that? Well here is the answer.
Tale 1 - The Inheritance : 7/10
The new companion Valerie Lockhart, I already love her. The sass and sarcastic nature of her just speaks out right from the start. Someone who can challenge the doctor.
The story was hilarious, quite light on plot due to the companion introduction but still fun as hell.
Tale 2 - The House of Masks :
This one had no right to be as good as it was. Seriously this one I thought would be the one I liked least but the concept is just so fun. The beginning reminded me of the Unicorn and the wasp then it shifted more into the mummy and the orient express? Kinda not kinda. Forgot I said anything.
I really liked we could hear both sides of the conflict, The Doctor and Valerie both apart listening to conflicting information and comparing later was fun as hell. Tale 3 - The End : 8/10
So this last one felt like a classic Moffat episode. It's weird, quite weird cause we follow two diffrent timelines at the same time.
In one The Doctor is bitten by a time spider, in the other one it's Valerie. It's great stuff and the concept of the time spider is incredible.
They're kinda like the Vasda Nerda but like for time itself? Yeah that's how I would describe it.
This episode might be a bit confusing, I already want to listen to it again cause I think I missed some bits. Such an uniuqe concept.
Loved this one. That clifhanger was mean, seriously I have to wait now to see what's next?! I get it but still mean.
I think possibly the greatest thing I could say about this boxset is that they could have easily been tv episodes. They're that good and the cast is just amazing. If you even remotely like the Eleventh doctor you will adore this.
This was such an incredible start to the series. I’ve only had Valarie for one episode and I’d already die for them. Dudman does a great job of emulating Eleven’s silliness and compassion but also his darker side. My favourite thing about this episode, though, was absolutely the chemistry between the Doctor and Valarie. It’s literally electric!! I love it so much. I haven’t heard one bad word about this series but, still, this episode has reassured me that I’m about to listen to something really special.
7V.2 The House of Masks - 4/5
A brilliant first-trip story. I adored the setting and how it implicitly recalled the last time the Doctor was in Venice (with the Ponds 💔). It actually reminded me a lot of The Beast Below in the sense that, like Amy, Valarie gets a very quick understanding of who the Doctor is by the end of the episode. It leads to a lovely conversation between them at the end. Valarie is very quickly becoming one of my favourite companions; she’s so feisty and headstrong as well as a complete badass. I am loving their relationship with Eleven so far.
7V.3 The End - 5/5
I have quite a few thoughts about this so I’m just going to keep it as concise as possible but I ADORED this episode. I love time loop stories but I love them even more when they’re *really* good time loop stories. This one is unique in the sense that we hear two time loops play out simultaneously and it works really well. Both the Doctor and Valarie are dying at different points so the stakes are extra high but it also leads to a number of heartfelt moments.
I LOVED Valarie calling out the Doctor on his guilt complex while literally dying; companions who call the Doctor out on their shit are always the best but it’s extra good with the Eleventh because, in many ways, he’s a very selfish incarnation (not a criticism, it’s a character flaw!) and he’s almost always thinking about how others make HIM feel while often finding difficulty in valuing their own feelings outside of their connection to him. As for the Doctor’s “death” scene: it broke my heart hearing him say, in such a sadly fragile voice, that he wanted to go home. Yes it’s all retroactive, but I love how this series is building up to the events of Day of the Doctor; focusing on the Doctor’s grief and guilt and desire to return home.
I’m very intrigued in the story arc so far - a mysterious woman calling out for help and controlling the Tardis??? There possibly being other Time Lords??? It’s really interesting. I wouldn’t be surprised if this mysterious woman is a Clara variant but I’m excited to see where everything goes 😊.
Overall: this set is an easy 5/5. Three very strong stories with very strong characters and excellent characterisation. The only issue I have with this set that’s subtitled “Geronimo!” is that the Doctor never actually says it!!! 😭 I feel robbed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3.0 Prologue - Clara A nice series of vignettes, very much in the style of the cold opens from this era of Doctor Who. Jacob Dudman does an excellent job of performing the Eleventh Doctor with the occasional slip that reminds you it isn't Matt Smith. He even has the low, talking to himself voice down. The writing really feels on point for this era. This was very enjoyable. 4/5
3.1 The Inheritance This is an excellent episode that starts the series proper. The plot is imaginative and well thought out. The introduction of Valarie works, while the banter back and forth feels like Eleventh Doctor and his companion. The voice acting is top-notch, with Jacob Dudman giving at great Eleven performance and Safiyya Ingar really stretching their acting as Valarie Lockwood. The overall sound design is what you would expect from Big Finish with a special mention to the music. This release really feels like it would fit in post The Snowman and before The Bells of Saint John. 4.5/5
3.2 The House of Masks A very good second episode that doesn't quite live up to the first. The plot is good, if not a little saggy in the middle. The threat is interesting and well played by the guest cast. The voice acting is great all around, with the chemistry between Jacob Dudman and Safiyya Ingar a highlight. Sound design is top-notch, for the most part, as usual. My only issue with this release was the sound mixing in some areas made some voices slightly too quiet to hear fully. This only happened in a couple of areas, and it may be my own setup, so it won't go against the rating. Overall, this was a great addition to the overall Eleven & Valarie series. 4/5
3.3 The End An excellent, imaginative, fast-paced finale of the first box set. The plot imaginative and well paced, with twists that really kept me on the edge of my seat. The overall concept is well done, and doesn't turn into white noise that plots like this can. The voice acting is excellent, with actors that really know their characters. Jacob Dudman and Safiyya Ingar still have great chemistry, to the point that it's a shame we can't see this play out in live action. Valarie Lockwood is quickly becoming my favourite Eleventh Doctor companion. The sound design is still top-notch. The music on this release really was exceptional, to the point I wish there was a soundtrack released. This finale really put a great cap on this excellent box set. 4.5/5
There's been a lot of hype from fans surrounding these Valerie Lockwood stories in the Eleventh Doctor Chronicles, which I honestly find surprising when it comes to The Doctor Chronicles range. This picks up after The Snowmen, with The Doctor searching for Clara Oswin Oswald. But then he meets a new companion. It's quite a delight hearing how Safiyya Ingar has been a huge Doctor Who fan, even getting involved with fanfiction, and now they get to play the companion. The Doctor even opens up to Valerie about how he ended the Time War. There is a time loop element I found a little confusing, but overall this is such a nice era to put in the middle of series 7. I'm still surprised that Big Finish has not explored Eleven's farewell tour from series 6, but I suspect they're holding off on that until a time when/if they can get Matt Smith. But in the meantime, Jacob Dudman does a superb job voicing this Doctor.
Just like a time traveller, I'm skipping ahead to the third volume of this series for now. And I'm glad to see the traditional audio drama format make a return.
Saffiya Ingar makes a powerful first impression as the wonderful new companion Valarie Lockwood. She arrives on the scene fully-formed and leaves you with no qualms about what kind of a person she is.
Jacob Dudman is also much improved, he sacrifices the perfection of his impersonation for a better performance, and it does wonders. For most of this box set I completely forgot this wasn't Matt Smith in the recording booth.
It's a surprisingly diverse array of stories too, considering there's only three of them. Dudman and Ingar's chemistry elevates all three, though the stories themselves are also very good. The third one ("The End") being the highlight.
I'm excited to eventually pick up the rest of the collection, though I'll probably jump onto the second volume next.
3.1 The Inheritance by Alfie Shaw Wow. What a crazy first episode. The new companions entire family dies in the very first episode, resulting in some drama. The plot of the story is quite interesting as well, especially when we discover how the plague was caused, and how to stop it. The capitalist bad guy is quite evil too.
3.2 House of Masks by Georgia Cook A fun little carnival story. Until a depressing twist ending, that is. For the most part, this story is a lot more fun and adventurous, which is well-deserved after the slightly heavy first story.
3.3 The End by Rochana Patel A wonderfully timey-wet story with some great twists and turns and great drama. Overall, a very enjoyable set of stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.